The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Pennsylvania announces the availability of federal assistance for the Addressing Resource Concerns from Mushroom Composting Facilities in Watersheds of Southern Chester County Project.

This project will provide necessary infrastructure to improve local water quality by addressing existing resource concerns, such as nutrient runoff to surface waters and leaching to groundwater, present on existing mushroom composting operations within the Octoraro Creek, Little Elk Creek, Big Elk Creek, White Clay Creek, and Red Clay Creek watersheds in Southern Chester County.

Work on this project is being conducted under the authority of the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention (WPFPP) Act (Public Law 83-566) at the initiative of citizens in Pennsylvania. Locally, the project is sponsored by the Chester County Conservation District.

Total project costs for the Addressing Resource Concerns from Mushroom Composting Facilities in Watersheds of Southern Chester County Project are estimated to be $12.4 million, of which $9.5 million will be covered by the WPFPP funds, and $2.9 million will be paid by the Chester County Conservation District with local funding, as appropriated funds are made available.

A copy of the final watershed plan and environmental assessment are available here.